Atiku Abubakar Critiques Tinubu's Prosperity Claims

Atiku Abubakar delivered an Independence Day address in Abuja, criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria has entered an "age of prosperity." He stated that the three years of Tinubu’s administration have resulted in a severe cost-of-living crisis, with families skipping meals and borrowing money to survive. Atiku questioned Tinubu’s claim that inflation had fallen, arguing that a slower increase in prices does not restore lost purchasing power.

He illustrated the economic strain by comparing minimum wage purchasing power for petrol and food items from April 2023 to May 2026, noting significant declines in what salaries can buy. For instance, a ₦30,000 minimum wage could purchase 118 litres of petrol in April 2023, while a ₦70,000 minimum wage now buys only 50 litres.

He also highlighted the rising costs of basic food items, such as eggs and bread. Atiku rejected the notion that calls for relief from high petrol prices equate to a desire for fuel subsidies, advocating instead for a production subsidy tied to locally refined fuel.